The immediate effect of spinal adjustive therapy on joint position sense of the cervical spine

Abstract:

There is still much to be learnt about proprioception and it’s role in postural control
mechanisms. Joint position sense accuracy has been developed as a means to evaluate
proprioception and extensive studies have been performed on patients with chronic neck
pain. To date, there has been limited research that has been conducted on the various
therapeutic modalities, which may affect joint position sense accuracy and
proprioception. However, no research has been performed on patients who are
asymptomatic, to determine the true effects of Chiropractic cervical adjustive therapy on
joint position sense accuracy and proprioception.
Chiropractic Cervical adjustive techniques are delivered by hand and bring about
neurophysiological change within the nervous system. It is not known exactly how long
the effects of the Chiropractic adjustment lasts and it is only speculated that the shortterm
effects are over a twenty minute period, as cavitation of the joint occurs
(Gatterman, 2005; Herzog, 2000).
The purpose of this research was to determine if Chiropractic cervical adjustive therapy
of the cervical spine could produce an immediate effect on joint position sense accuracy,
in participants who were asymptomatic and only presenting with hypomobile joint
dysfunction.
A random sample of 60 participants, presenting with no history of pain, were assessed
for hypomobile joint dysfunction. All participants underwent a full Case History,
Pertinent Physical examination and a Regional Examination of the Cervical Spine. Each
participant had to complete the Subject Information and Consent Form. The participants
were randomly divided into two groups. Group A received Chiropractic cervical adjustive
therapy and Group B received detuned ultrasound, and was therefore the control group.
The cervical range of motion (CROM) device was placed on the participant’s head,
aligned on the bridge of the nose and ears. It was secured, behind the head, by a velcro
strap. The CROM device was also mounted with a laser beam device. This enabled
objective readings to be recorded, as each participant performed the Cervicocephalic
Kinesthetic Sensibility Test. The procedure required the participant to alternatively
rotate their head to the left and then to the right, as objective readings was recorded.
Readings were taken before treatment was administered and then again after treatment
was administered.
The pre-treatment scores and post-treatment scores between the two groups were
compared, using the paired samples test.
The objective analyses showed that Group A (adjustment group) showed better results
in improved joint position accuracy, in comparison to Group B (control group).
The preliminary findings of this study show that Chiropractic cervical adjustive therapy
has an immediate effect on joint position sense accuracy. This has major implications
with respect to the vital role that Chiropractic cervical adjustments may have, on
maintaining proprioceptive input and postural control mechanisms. The duration, by
which Chiropractic cervical adjustive therapy effects joint position sense accuracy is
unknown and further investigation into this, is still required.